Cephalotaxus wilsoniana

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana
Conservation status
Endangered  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Gymnospermae
Division:	Pinophyta
Class:	Pinopsida
Order:	Cupressales
Family:	Taxaceae
Genus:	Cephalotaxus
Species:	C. wilsoniana
Binomial name
Cephalotaxus wilsoniana Hayata

Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is a species of coniferous tree in the yew family, Taxaceae. Its common names include Taiwan plum yew, Taiwan cow's-tail pine, ^[2] and Wilson's plum yew. The taxon name, Cephalotaxus wilsoniana, is disputed by many authorities: A Chinese online database gives its revised name as Cephalotaxus sinensis var. wilsoniana, ^[3] while Plants of the World Online and other authorities consider it to be the species Cephalotaxus harringtonii. ^{[4] [1]} (In synonymising this name with C. harringtonia, Plants of the World online cites several authorities.) ^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

Description

It is endemic to Taiwan, ^[1] scattered in montane forests at altitudes of 1,400–2,700 m (4,600–8,900 ft). ^[9] As Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is dioecious, and grows scattered amongst broad-leaved trees, the fecundity is not strong. In addition, the seed maturity period is very long. As germination and growth are also slow, Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is not commonly found.

This conifer grows up to 9 m (30 ft) tall with drooping branches and reddish-brown flaky bark. It grows in scattered populations in the woodlands of Taiwan. It is sometimes cultivated in local gardens. ^[2]

The wood of Cephalotaxus wilsoniana is light yellowish brown with dense structure and excellent quality, which can be used for construction, furniture, agricultural appliances. A variety of plant alkaloids can be extracted from leaves, branches, roots and seeds. ^[9]

• 
  The buds/new branches at the front end of each branch are often three.
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  The stomata on the back of the leaf form two light green bands.
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  Female inflorescence
• 
  "Naked seed"

References

1. Yang, Y. & Luscombe, D 2013. Cephalotaxus harringtonii var. wilsoniana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. Downloaded on 01 September 2015.
2. Cephalotaxus wilsoniana. The Gymnosperm Database.
3. "iPlant 植物智——植物物种信息系统 (Cephalotaxus wilsoniana)". www.iplant.cn. Archived from the original on 2025-03-06. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
4. "Cephalotaxus wilsoniana Hayata | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-03-15.
5. Chang, C.-S., Kim, H. & Chang, K.S. (2021). Checklist of Far East Asian Vascular Flora 1: 1-626. EABCN, Seoul. [Cited as Cephalotaxus harringtonia.]
6. Farjon, A. (2010). A handbook of the world's Conifers 1: 1-526. BRILL, Leiden, Boston. [Cited as Cephalotaxus harringtonii var. wilsoniana.]
7. Govaerts, R. (1999). World Checklist of Seed Plants 3(1, 2a & 2b): 1-1532. MIM, Deurne. [Cited as Cephalotaxus sinensis var. wilsoniana.]
8. Lang, X.D., Su, J.R., Lu, S.G. & Zhang, Z.J. (2013). A taxonomic revision of the genus Cephalotaxus (Taxaceae). Phytotaxa 84: 1-24. [Cited as Cephalotaxus harringtonii.]
9. "Cephalotaxus wilsoniana Hayata" (in Chinese). Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae.